The Grand National victory of Neptune Collonges was overshadowed by the death of Gold Cup winner Synchronised and According To Pete.

Synchronised was bidding to become the first horse to win the Gold Cup and Grand National in the same season since Golden Miller, but it ended in tragedy.

Having got loose before the race, Synchronised did not appear comfortable at his fences and fell at Becher's Brook on the first circuit.

It was later revealed that Synchronised had suffered a fatal injury. Owner JP McManus said: "He's been killed, so I believe."

According To Pete broke a leg when brought down at Becher's Brook on the second circuit and was humanely destroyed.

The BHA's Professor Tim Morris: "We are very sad about the fatal injuries suffered by Synchronised and According to Pete in the Grand National.

"In both cases the horse incurred a fracture to the leg and the humane option was to put the injured horses down. "

Aintree managing director Julian Thick said: "We are desperately sad at these two accidents and our sympathies are with the connections of both horses. When a horse gets hurt, everyone is deeply upset.

"Safety is the first priority for the organisers of the Grand National and we make every effort to ensure that everyone involved in the event is able to participate in safety."

Thick added: "After today, we will, as always, be looking at all aspects of this year's race to see how we can improve safety further."

After enduring a tricky start to his Manchester United career, perhaps it is fair that Marcos Rojo celebrated so boisterously as he watched his first professional club Estudiantes beat fierce rivals Gimnasia